Daily problems will be graded as credit/no-credit, with credit received for a credible effort. We will be grading a random subset of the homework problems.

Late homework will be accepted (but penalized 30%) up to the start of the next lecture; not accepted thereafter, barring major emergencies. Late daily problems will not be accepted (but you have a pass on turning them in four times during the quarter).

[Optional] Kenneth H. Rosen, Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications, Sixth Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2007. No direct use of this, but if you already own a copy, keep it for reference. Some students have said they like its coverage of counting (Chapter 5 and 7.5, 7.6) and discrete probability (Chapter 6)).

Learning Objectives:

Course goals include an appreciation and introductory
understanding of (1) methods of counting and basic
combinatorics, (2) the language of probability for expressing
and analyzing randomness and uncertainty (3) properties of
randomness and their application in designing and analyzing
computational systems, (4) some basic methods of statistics
and their use in a computer science & engineering context, (5)
the distinction between tractable and (apparently) intractable
computational problems and (6) methods and appropriate
reasoning for showing tractability (e.g. dynamic programming)
and intractability (reduction).

Class mailing list:

The mailing list (cse312a_sp12@u.washington.edu) is used to communicate important information that is relevant to all the students. If you are registered for the course, you should automatically be on the mailing list.

The mailing list is also a very useful tool for collaboration and interaction between students. You are encouraged to post questions, thoughts, and ideas, that you believe would interest your fellow students.

Academic Integrity and Collaboration:

Homeworks are all individual, not group,
exercises. Discussing them with others is fine, even encouraged,
but you must produce your own homework solutions. Follow
the "Gilligan's Island Rule": if you discuss the assignment with
someone else, don't keep any notes (paper or electronic) from the
discussion, then go watch 30+ minutes of TV (Gilligan's Island
reruns especially recommended) before you continue work on the
homework by yourself. You may not look at other people's
written solutions to these problems, not in your friends' notes,
not in the dorm files, not on the internet, ever. If in any
doubt about whether your activities cross allowable boundaries,
tell us before, not after, you turn in your assignment. See
also the UW CSE
Academic Misconduct Policy, and the links there.